Bitget App
Trade smarter
Buy cryptoMarketsTradeFuturesEarnWeb3SquareMore
Trade
Spot
Buy and sell crypto with ease
Margin
Amplify your capital and maximize fund efficiency
Onchain
Going Onchain, without going Onchain!
Convert & block trade
Convert crypto with one click and zero fees
Explore
Launchhub
Gain the edge early and start winning
Copy
Copy elite trader with one click
Bots
Simple, fast, and reliable AI trading bot
Trade
USDT-M Futures
Futures settled in USDT
USDC-M Futures
Futures settled in USDC
Coin-M Futures
Futures settled in cryptocurrencies
Explore
Futures guide
A beginner-to-advanced journey in futures trading
Futures promotions
Generous rewards await
Overview
A variety of products to grow your assets
Simple Earn
Deposit and withdraw anytime to earn flexible returns with zero risk
On-chain Earn
Earn profits daily without risking principal
Structured Earn
Robust financial innovation to navigate market swings
VIP and Wealth Management
Premium services for smart wealth management
Loans
Flexible borrowing with high fund security
Israel Seizes $1.5B in Tether Allegedly Linked to Iran

Israel Seizes $1.5B in Tether Allegedly Linked to Iran

BeInCryptoBeInCrypto2025/09/15 18:05
By:Sangho Hwang

Israel’s Ministry of Defense seized 187 cryptocurrency wallets allegedly tied to Iran’s IRGC. The action, alongside US seizures and Tether blacklisting, underscores growing scrutiny of crypto’s role in sanctions evasion and conflict-driven financial flows.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense ordered the seizure of 187 cryptocurrency wallets, alleging they were used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The move highlights the increasing use of cryptocurrency in sanctioned states. It comes days after the US Justice Department seized $584,741 in USDT from an Iranian national tied to the IRGC’s drone program.

$1.5B in Crypto Wallets Seized by Israel

Israel’s National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Monday the seizure order against 187 wallets, citing authority under the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2016. Officials said the wallets once processed $1.5 billion in Tether but now hold about $1.5 million.

Israel Seizes $1.5B in Tether Allegedly Linked to Iran image 0

Katz wrote in the Administrative Seizure Order that the funds were either the property of the IRGC or “used for the perpetration of a severe terror crime.” The IRGC remains designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic integrated the seized addresses into its monitoring system. This allows exchanges and institutions to screen transactions. Elliptic confirmed the wallets received the funds, but noted that not all may be directly controlled by the IRGC.

“Some of the addresses may be controlled by cryptocurrency services and could be part of wallet infrastructure used to facilitate transactions for many customers,” Elliptic noted.

Tether, issuer of the $110 billion-plus market cap stablecoin, blacklisted 39 of the wallets on September 13, blocking further transactions. The company has a history of cooperating with law enforcement by freezing funds tied to illicit finance, a practice enabled by USDT’s centralized control structure.

A Broader Crackdown on IRGC’s Expanding Crypto Use

The Israeli move is the latest in a series of international actions targeting the IRGC’s crypto networks. The IRGC has faced repeated allegations of using cryptocurrency to skirt sanctions. In June, pro-Israel hacking group Gonjeshke Darande drained $90 million from Iranian exchange Nobitex, accusing it of IRGC links.

In December 2024, the US Treasury sanctioned addresses tied to Sa’id Ahmad Muhammad al-Jamal. He had funneled $332 million in USDT to Yemen’s Houthi movement with IRGC assistance.

Last week, the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts filed a civil forfeiture action against Mohammad Abedini. They seized $584,741 in USDT connected to the IRGC’s drone program.

Analysts warn that the latest seizures underscore how cryptocurrencies—while transparent and traceable—can serve sanctioned states seeking liquidity.

“Rumors of IRGC using cryptocurrency to circumvent sanctions have persisted for years,” said Amir Rashidi, director at the Iran-focused nonprofit Miaan Group. “Some cases may involve exchanges not directly part of the IRGC but connected through complex financial networks.”

0

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

PoolX: Earn new token airdrops
Lock your assets and earn 10%+ APR
Lock now!

You may also like

New York regulators urge banks to leverage blockchain to address crypto risks

Emerging technologies bring new and constantly evolving threats, which require new tools to address them.

区块链骑士2025/09/18 09:52
New York regulators urge banks to leverage blockchain to address crypto risks

Ripple, DBS & Franklin Templeton Unite for Tokenized Finance

Ripple joins forces with DBS and Franklin Templeton to boost tokenized fund trading and $RLUSD-powered lending.$RLUSD Stablecoin Powers Lending InnovationRipple’s Broader Push for Real-World Asset Adoption

Coinomedia2025/09/18 09:36
Ripple, DBS & Franklin Templeton Unite for Tokenized Finance

Solana Reclaims Key Level, Eyes 82% Rally to $457

Solana bounces from $233.8 and could rally 82% to $457.97 if momentum holds strong.Why $233.8 Matters for SolanaCan Solana Hit $457.97?

Coinomedia2025/09/18 09:36
Solana Reclaims Key Level, Eyes 82% Rally to $457

Solana Rebounds: Eyes Set on $457 After Key Level Hold

Solana bounces from $233 and could surge 82% to $457. Here's why momentum is building.Technical Outlook Supports Bullish MomentumWhat’s Next for SOL Holders?

Coinomedia2025/09/18 09:36
Solana Rebounds: Eyes Set on $457 After Key Level Hold